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Magadan makes good use of bad weather

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SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Bad weather drove the Rangers indoors on Wednesday morning, but they put that time to good use. Hitting coach Dave Magadan used it for his first collective meeting with all his hitters. With Cactus League games approaching on Friday, Magadan wants his players to start embracing the Rangers' overall approach to hitting.

Summed up succinctly, Magadan wants his player to be "tough outs" and find different ways to score runs rather than waiting for the three-run home run.

"Obviously, they did a lot of things right," Magadan said. "Everybody knows where they fell short last year, and they've got to get better at it. It's just a matter of me staying on them about it and me making sure they grind out at-bats and are finding other ways to score runs.

"You never go up there with the intent to walk. Get back to grinding out the at-bats. Be ready to hit, but have a plan and know what your responsibility is in that at-bat. Know what your responsibility is on this time. Know what your role is on this team. And let's not just play for the three-run homer."

Manager Ron Washington met with some hitters about bunting on Wednesday. The Rangers set up 11 bunting situations during Tuesday's intrasquad game and Washington wasn't happy with the execution. They were able to get a bunt down in 10 of those 11 at-bats. But in four cases, with runners on first and second, the defense was able to get the out at third.

Washington's big mantra this spring has been, "Do the little things a lot," and he is pounding that message into some of his younger players every chance he gets.

"We have a lot of young players coming in," Washington said. "We want to get them to relax and get them to understand that what they are asking them to do. They're capable of doing it."